Rock Island Auction Company — Premiere Firearms Auction May 2-4, 2014

Rock Island Auction Company’s May 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2014 Premiere Firearms Auction is this weekend and it is not shy about stating that this auction has the finest selection in its entire 20 year history. After looking at its catalog, that claim appears to be spot on.The selection of Henry rifles and early Winchesters is staggering and the quantity of German military arms has been bolstered by what is to be the first installment of the Von Norden Collection. To give a comprehensive overview of its sale would be an extremely long read, so here are a few of the highlights for your approval.

German Machine Guns

You like machine guns? Well, the aforementioned Von Norden Collection has more than a few. There’s a fully mounted MG-42 with all its accessories, an MP-40 made by Steyr, and three assault rifles that show the evolution of the MP44. Of course, these are only some of the Class III weapons present, but these definitely merit their own mention. The collection also housed many other amazing German military pieces, so if you’re looking for a Luger, Walther, Mauser, or Borchardt you owe it to yourself to see what’s available.

1911 Pistols

In a series on RIAC’s blog, they went in depth on the selection of wartime production M1911/A1 pistols present at this sale. To be specific, it has them all; every single wartime manufacturer of the M1911 and M1911A1. There are even two of the rare examples made by Singer when even having one would be a feat worth boasting. For those seeking something a bit more modern, there is no shortage of those 1911 pistols either. Brands present include: Colt, Ed Brown, Christensen Arms, Les Baer, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Nighthawk, Springfield, Para, Wilson, Lone Star, STI, Sig Sauer, Kimber, and Doublestar—many of which are still new in the box or have seen minimal use. If you’re looking for a 1911, you should check this selection.

Modern Handguns

RIAC came into a huge supply of modern production handguns which they will sell over the next several auctions. That means on top of selling the jaw-dropping antiques it is known for, it will also be selling numerous modern semi-autos and revolvers many of which have a waiting period for the manufacturers to produce. there will be the previously mentioned the 1911 pistols, but also present will be Glock, Sig Sauer, Taurus, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, HK, Browning, Beretta, Magnum Research, Dan Wesson, Springfield, FNH, Colt and more. It seems like a great time to add a few new goodies to the safe.

U.S. Military Arms

Obviously the 1911s are a huge part of this, but make no mistake, the other U.S. military arms stand on their own. There are classic M1903 bolt-action rifles and even one with the rare rod bayonet. There are also M1 Garands, M1 carbines, trench shotguns, Johnson rifles, sniper rifles, 2 Thompson submachine guns, and many early U.S. military arms such as Trapdoor rifles from multiple years, Rolling Block rifles, Krags, Cavalry issued revolvers, a Colt Model 1897 Gatling gun, and what RIAC lists as “the finest 1889 U.S. navy DA revolver extant.”

High End Collector and Investment Grade Firearms

It wouldn’t be fitting to talk about a RIAC auction and not about the amazing pieces it brings to light, and this auction hosts an exceptionally large number of these “dream guns,” even for RIAC. How about a silver banded, ivory gripped Texas Paterson, estimated at $700,000 – $900,000? A trio of consecutively numbered Holland & Holland shotguns? You might be successful in winning one, or you could win the set estimated to hammer between $275,000 – $475,000. Need a LePage shotgun made as a gift from the then president of France to the president of Mexico? They can help and the pictures on the item listing definitely help explain the item’s $275,000 – $425,000 estimate.

There are also gold inlaid Winchesters, a Henry rifle belonging to Samuel Colt, signed correspondence of George Washington, Civil War autograph books, a Colt with grips made by Tiffany, and a revolver owned by Outlaw Clyde Barrow of ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ notoriety. Trust me, these are only the beginning.

How do you summarize something with so many different aspects as facets other than saying, “they’ve got you covered.” It doesn’t matter whether you buy guns to shoot at the range, carry on your hip, lug through a field, buy as an investment, take on safari, collect in a gun room, or to them as a gift for a deserving youngster, at this event RIAC has you covered.

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I have read that there numerous WWII 1911 .45s made by several manufactures. I have a model 1911 made by Kongsberg Colton and is stamped 1942 and have been told, by a gun show person, that it has the norwegian flag stamped on it. It is in good condition and has no dings and was not polished. It also has all matching numbers except for the barrel. Does anyone know anything about this gun?

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